Blogs

There's something enormously satisfying about "14/48," also known as the world's quickest theater festival. It's certainly creative and energetc. But that can be said about many arts endeavors around town. What makes "14/48" so wonderfully distinctive is its unbridled sense of urgency. Unlike most theater, which requires the gestation period of a small glacier, "14/18" creates 14 plays -- many of them quite good -- and some kickass music (with a live band) in the span of 48 hours.

I have a list of great sales going on this weekend, but first up, I wanted to introduce you to a couple of very lovely ladies to join the local blogging scene.
Ali Brownrigg, whom I adore sitting with at fashions shows, has started her own ode to Portland and Seattle over at Porttle. Covering both local fashion scenes, as well as can’t miss restaurants and hotels in each city, pop by for Brownrigg’s savvy sale advice, jewelry finds and all-around good eye for style!

The Kirkland Arts Center just launched a spooky-cool show by two up-and-coming East Coast artists. Alison Brady, from Washington, DC, is known for her hyper-real (and hyper-creepy) photographs. Sarah Knobel, from NYC, has made a splash with her surreal self-portraits (via photos and videos).

(Jane loses her gloves)Hands down the best comfort-food sandwich ever. The sauerkraut works magic. Use 100% rye if you're going wheat-free. Pair this with Tomato Basil Soup. Mmm-good. Printable recipe here.

Though many of us wouldn't have predicted the Seahawks improbable and spectacular journey into the playoffs this year, now that they are in the second round (they meet the Bears in Chicago on Sunday in the divisional playoff smackdown), we can't help but feel an extra dose of hometown pride this week.

What's the difference between a $15 bottle of tequila and a $300 bottle? How do you cure a tequila hangover? Matador owner Melang answers our burning agave-related questions in this Seattlemag.com piece produced by our new video intern Alex Kummerow.
Tequila 101 from Seattle magazine on Vimeo.

Local 360, a Melrose Market-esque collection of shops anchored by a restaurant, is slowly, bit-by-bit opening in the former Flying Fish space in Belltown. Right now the coffee bar is open, and soon (in the next couple of weeks, I'm told) they'll add breakfast and lunch. The butcher and cheese counters will follow in February.

Breakfast sets the metabolic pace for the rest of the day. A good one contains carbohydrate, protein, fat and fiber. All of the nutrient groups. Don't leave one out. Put some nuts or granola and a little butter on a warm bowl of steel cut oats and you've got it all. Printable recipe here.

Tis’ the season for shopping (or in my case just wandering the men’s department trying to find a gift for the guy who declared he just wanted socks for Christmas, sigh) and the holiday sales and fests are in full swing this weekend, and the weeks beyond. Stay tuned each Friday as we highlight the best in holiday shopping, below I’ve plucked this week’s favorite fests, my current new jewelry obsession—and a great way to get a little R&R during the fray: